The San Diego Padres' ongoing quest for a World Series (or at least a playoff title). "You know that many runners enter a race, but only one of them wins the prize. So run to win! Athletes work hard to win a crown that cannot last, but we do it for a crown that will last forever." 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

Climbing Out Of The Cellar

I love this team. Like crazy. Yesterday, I happened to notice that Tim Lincecum was no longer on the “probable pitchers” section on the front page of padres.com. WHOOO HOOO!! I was so excited. In his place, a rookie named Madison Bumgarner was making his major league debut. First off, that name makes me laugh every time I see it. Second of all, the guy’s 20 years old. He’s a kid! I had the ultimate confidence in my boys to get this game. Especially after losing on my birthday, they needed the win.

Kevin Correia started for the Padres. He went six innings, allowing three runs on eight hits with one walk and five strikeouts. He pitched well, but did not get a decision.

On the other side, Bumgarner was very good for a 20-year-old making his major league debut. He went 5.1 innings, only allowing solo home runs to Chase Headley and Kouz. You have to give him credit, he seemed to have things pretty much together. Must have been a great night for him.

This was a back and forth game. The Giants got on in the bottom of the ninth, the Padres got one in the top of the second, Giants got it back in the bottom of the inning. Padres and Giants each get one in the fourth.

In the seventh, Will Venable hit a monster home run to the deepest part of the ballpark to tie the game at three. What a strong boy!!

In the eighth, Adrian and Kouz singled with no outs. Chase Headley singled to right, and Adrian came in to score. The throw was right there, but the catcher lost hold of it and it bounced away. It was so cool!!

Sadly, though, my dear Kouz hurt himself when he was running the bases. He got a left calf strain!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! My poor baby :( Hopefully it will only be day-to-day and he will be back on the field ASAP!!!!

Due to Kouz’s terrible injury, there had to be some strange changes for the Padres’ defense. Chase Headley moved from left field to third, which is his natural position. Nick Hundley, catcher, who had not played outfield since college, went out to left field. Eliezar Alfonso went in to catch. And Heath Bell came in to get the save.

It was Nick Hundley’s 26th birthday yesterday. Happy birthday Nick!!!

Heath didn’t make things interesting last night. It was amazing. He went 1-2-3, and Nick got to catch the last out in left field. Yay!!

It was an incredible game for many reasons. We came back from three deficits. Chase had three hits, and Kouz and Will had two hits each. We tied the series, so now we have a chance to win yet another series today.

And, one of the most exciting parts…I am soooo happy…WE’RE OUT OF THE CELLAR!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! Finally!!! Arizona is right behind us at 22 games behind, and we’re 21 games behind. But we’re not the NL West Worst anymore. We’re been playing excellently, not like a last-place team at all. We don’t belong down there. Finally, we have a taste a fresh air after being in that musty cellar for so long.

“Breathe the free air again, my friend.” – Gandalf the White, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers

Kevin Kouzmanoff is a brilliant player. This is his third season in the majors with the Padres, and he’s amazing. If you’ve read this blog for any amount of time, you know that I love this guy like crazy. He’s a good hitter, but the best aspect of his game is his defense. He’s incredible at third base. I mean, amazing. These last two years, he’s been fantastic over there. This year, I think he should get a Gold Glove. Because the Padres are so small-market, our players don’t get noticed very much, but Kouz really needs to get out there. The Padres have sent DVDs to other managers in the majors showing tons of Kouz’s incredible plays. I really really really hope he will get a Gold Glove this year!! He totally deserves it.

Well, the Padres and Giants are playing the last of three games today. Wade LeBlanc will go against Barry Zito.

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